In Memory of Hersh, Eden, Ori, Almog, Alexander, and Carmel
“. . . Preschools will strike on Monday. . .” Haaretz, September 1, 2024
On Monday, most of Israel—from Ben Gurion Airport to the preschools—will go on strike to protest for a ceasefire and a negotiated release of the hostages and to protest against the Netanyahu government.
Consider the absurdity—toddlers pulled into protest.
Consider the reality: the world shaped today will undoubtedly most impact the youngest. And presumably their teachers might want to protest.
On Monday, Gaza will not have a “ceasefire” but a planned “pause” in hostilities. Why? So 2100 health workers can immunize 640,000 children against polio. Polio.
Consider the absurdity—polio has been nearly eradicated around the world and had been gone from Gaza for 25 years.
Consider the reality—Last month, a 10-month-old Gazan named Abdel-Rahman Abu el-Jedian became partially paralyzed due to the disease.
Consider the absurdity: Children will be protected from polio so they can continue to live in a war zone. . .
Yesterday’s news was devastating: Six hostages, none over 40, executed in cold blood in the tunnels of Gaza. They had survived nearly 11 months of captivity. Three of their names were high on the list to be released in the next ceasefire: Eden and Carmel because they were women and Hersh because he lost his arm on October 7. But now they are gone. And for what? Continued hostilities and the hope of forcing security? Can you even force security? Yes, Hamas needs to be held accountable, but is this the way?
The killing of Hersh, Carmel, Eden, Alexander, Almog, and Ori hit particularly hard. Their faces, their stories and their families have become known to us over the past year. It’s a small Jewish world that feels like family. Their deaths seem so senseless. And possibly preventable with negotiation and reason instead of military might.
And so what can we do?
We can be supportive of Israelis when they go on strike tomorrow.
We can mourn the dead—both the six hostages and the host of others killed on both sides of conflict.
We can advocate for a negotiated end to the conflict and the beginning of the rebuilding process.
And we can learn from the hostages themselves and examples they left.
In the tunnels of Gaza, Carmel taught other hostages meditation and yoga to help them relax. They called her a “guardian angel.” In the height of her own fear, she found a way to be true to herself and help others.
On October 7, Almog stayed back with his partner, who was injured, rather than escaping. He put her well-being and his love for her first. He was kidnapped trying to tend to her wounds. She did shortly after.
On October 7, Ori had escaped from the terror attack, but returned in his car to save others in his vehicle. He was kidnapped trying to bring others to safety. While everybody in the car was taken hostage, two of those hostages, both teens, were released last November and survived.
Truth to our ideals, courage, loyalty, love, compassion. That’s what we need. We can honor their memories the most though by standing up for the remaining hostages, advocating for these hostage’s safety, and the safety of all the other innocents lost in this crisis.
May the memories of
Hersh Goldberg-Polin
Carmel Gat
Eden Yerushalmi
Alexander Lobanov
Almog Sarusi, and
Ori Danino
Serve as an inspiration for us. And bring a measure of peace to their families.
